“The Lord will never leave you nor forsake you." ~ Deuteronomy
31:8
Wayne Ford will die soon!
He sat cross-legged, a thin blanket across his lap, atop the
concrete bench that served as his bed on San Quentin’s East Block.
Stale air filtered out from his dark cell. He’d been relieved of all possessions except
a well-worn Bible and a guitar missing the ‘D’ string; solitary punishment for
crimes 19 years ago and too heinous to mention.
Death row was off-limits to most of the activities and
volunteers that flooded the rest of San Quentin with theatrical, educational,
and music programs. There was simply no space
in East Block. Even the chapel’s Easter
service had been held in a converted shower bay.
Joshua, his assigned guard, entered the cell with breakfast:
chopped something on week-old toast.
Wayne had gotten used to it – after all, it wasn’t like his body needed much
nutrition anymore.
As had become a daily custom, Joshua and Wayne prayed together. Joshua had made certain that Wayne (and every
other death row inmate) had the opportunity to know the transforming power of
the Gospel before they died.
Today Wayne prayed, not for a stay of execution, but for God’s
forgiveness. He’d accepted Jesus as his
Lord and Savior a dozen years ago and become a devoted Christian ever since.
When they finished the devotional, Joshua asked, “Wayne,
what do you want for your final meal?”
And there it was! He
knew from other inmates that last-meal planning marked the start of “The Death March”
which began 14 days before the execution.
Time was running out.
The room began spinning.
Wayne sank to the floor, trying to make time slow down. He felt sick.
Taking a deep, calming breath, he asked, “Can I have a little time to
think about it?”
Joshua left him alone.
Barring last-minute legal action Wayne knew the last meal was
his last chance to control anything that happened in those final hours. Memories of favorite foods immediately flooded
his thoughts.
Grandma Mae’s fried chicken, made with sweet potatoes, deep
fried in olive oil. A side of chili
cheese fries with honey-glazed smoked bacon bits or fried jalapenos. Classic iced mint lemonade with a slice of
lime. And for desert, his mother’s chocolate
caramel date pudding. Oh, the many choices
to consider!
Joshua returned to Wayne’s cell before shift change. “Have you decided on something delicious?” he
queried.
Wayne’s voice caught as he meekly uttered, “I think I’d like
a small piece of bread and some grape juice please. If it’s good enough for my Lord on His last
earthly day, it’s more than enough for a sinner like me. It is (nearly) finished.”
“In my cell so dark and dreary, the touch of
God's hand I can feel. Asking Him to
please forgive me, before Him pleading I will kneel. I know someday beyond the sunset, He'll call
my name to make amends. Till that day
I'll keep on prayin' and ask that He forgive my sins.” ~ Hank Snow, “Prisoner’s Prayer”
